Some real hot takes here. For example how do you expect Buffalo to finish 2nd in that division without any goaltending?

If we're speculating at what may happen at the deadline, Carolina could go an get the goal scorer they've been so desperate for, and then their offense is at least comparable to New Jerseys, the defense is hands down still better, and Freddie likely matches any goalie they get unless they're picking up like Juuse Saros. Even if Hughes is a fine player (and I'm not saying he'll be bad) he's not going to replace what Graves was doing. Nemec doesn't even have a spot on the roster right now over Hamilton, Marino and Miller... you're overhyping them.

There's also quite a gap between the Canes and Devils and then the Rangers. New York's depth isn't good enough to compete, they don't have the offensive depth of the Devils or the defensive depth of the Canes.

I don't agree with all of these, but I think your analysis is pretty good. It's 100% true that there are always surprises, rarely does it ever play out how people think. Hockey is so dependent on team chemistry and getting hot at the right time. The best teams on paper almost never win.

I think for Metro Caps will be better and Rangers will be worse. Rangers it really depends on Kakko and Lafreniere imo. If both or even one of them breakout then I think that makes them a top team. If not I think they're closer to mid/upper mid. Sabres finishing second I could see. I think the Lightning have some flaws and with Buffalo boosting their defense this offseason they'll be a playoff team. I think the Panthers barely make it similar to last year, but man their defense without Ekblad and Montour is rough on the right side. The rest I agree with mostly. Not sure about the Kraken I feel they will be a really interesting team to watch. I think Stars, Carolina, Jersey, Knights will all be very very good teams that are for sure top contenders. With others like Toronto, Buffalo, Colorado, Kings, Oilers, and Penguins (I think) in that second tier of could win the cup if they get hot at the right time but not top favorites.

Can totally see your cup final prediction happening tbh

I really like the outlook of their offense, I think being able to ice one of Dahlin or Power for almost the entirety of every game is going to be lethal (especially considering the rest of their defense is starting to shore up really nicely), and I'm a believer in Levi. Goaltending is the only question there though, season could go awry quickly if he isn't ready

Goalies are pretty much never ready at that age. Oettinger is probably the youngest starter in the league and he turns 25 in December. Shesterkin and Sorokin are 27 and 28 respectively and they are still quite new to the league. Goalies usually take years to develop and often need to be eased into starting roles. So unless Buffalo trades for someone who can handle the workload I would be surprised if they get far at all